Current Consultations

Providing representation for the County's third sector organisations at local, regional and national level.

BAVO facilitates a number of local voluntary sector networks, details of these can be found on the 'Voluntary Networks' link on the menu bar.

Local groups are positively encouraged to attend our network meetings, and through these networks, knowledge sharing on a range of topics and issues, as well as joint responses to local and national consultations.

This web page will list the latest / current documents and public consultations, and we hope that as many groups from the local sector will respond. You can do this by either following the guidance in the consultation documents and feedback comments direct to the organisation or via BAVO, who will also provide coordinated responses from the sector wherever appropriate

Current Local Consultations

Improving Futures: A Partnership approach to reduction and prevention of self-harming behaviour and suicide Deadline: Closed
Fit for the Future: The Regeneration Strategy for Bridgend County Borough: Deadline April 11th Deadline: Closed

Improving Futures: A Partnership Approach to Reduction and Prevention of Self-Harming Behaviour and Suicide in Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot

The Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Local Service Boards (LSB's) have recentlyconsulted on the Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot Suicide Prevention Strategy. This had been developed over recent months by a multi-agency group. The LSB's also used this framework to oversee and inform their recent actions and service responses in the Bridgend area.

The consultation period has now closed, BAVO held a briefing session for the sector in March, and a response from the sector was submitted. Angela Davies from BAVO is a member of the working group pulling together the responses from the consultation process and developing the final framework document and action plan. contact Angela Davies, Partnership Development Officer at BAVO on 01656 810400 to give feedback.

For further information, contact Angela Davies on 01656 810400.

Fit for the Future: Regeneration Strategy for Bridgend County

The Consultation draft 'FIT FOR THE FUTURE: The Regeneration Strategy for Bridgend County Borough' closed on April 11th.

BAVO response on behalf of the sector is available from Heidi Bennett on 01656 810400

For a copy of the finalised strategy, e-mail: Mark.Halliwell@bridgend.gov.uk

Current National Consultations

To directly view all current national consultations on the WAG website, click here to be redirected.

Proposal to change the NHS Structure in Wales
Designed to Add Value - A Third Dimension
Wales Spatial Plan: People, Places, Futures
Draft Fire & Rescue Service National Framework for Wales 2008-2011
Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning (IFLL) - Call for evidence on lifelong learning, crime & social exclusion
Call for evidence on lifelong learning, crime and social exclusion

Consultation: Proposal to change the structure of the NHS in Wales

This Consultation Paper invites comments on proposed changes to the NHS in Wales. View the document via this link

The areas for consultation include:

1. Abolishing the Internal Market in Wales, by providing funding from the Welsh Ministers or a National Board directly to NHS Trusts and Local Health Boards;
2. Three options for establishing a National Health Service Board for Wales (the National Board); these are a Special Health Authority, a Civil Service Board, or an Advisory Board supporting an Assembly Government Chief Executive. The National Board/Chief Executive will have oversight of the whole NHS in Wales, and will be responsible for agreeing with NHS Trusts and Local Health Boards the work which is to be carried out by them, and the funding which is to be provided in order to allow that work to be carried out;
3.A reduction from twenty-two (22) to eight (8) Local Health Boards in Wales (including Powys Local Health Board);
4 Transferring the management and provision of Community Services from NHS Trusts to Local Health Boards;
5 The constitution and membership of the new Local Health Boards in Wales;
6 The constitution and membership of NHS Trusts in Wales; and
7 A possible revised model for providing shared services, such as procurement, certain legal services and estates advice across Wales.

Deadline for responses: 25th June 2008

Consultation: Designed to Add Value - A Third Dimension

In order to inform future strategic developments between health & social care and the Third sector, WAG has produced a strategic review (Designed to Add Value) in consultation with the voluntary and statutory sectors during 2007 as part of 'Building Strong Bridges'. This will help outline future directions for the voluntary and community sector in supporting delivery of Health and Social care across Wales.

The development of the document has been informed by feedback from three regional consultation events held in June 2007 and from the local and national 'Building Strong Bridges' Health and Social Care Facilitators who gathered and fed in the local information from their key stakeholders and Networks.

In line with WAG's commitment to sustainable development, the consultation documents are being made available on the WAG website at:

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/healand soccarecurrcons/?|ang=en.

However, hard copies are available upon request Tel: 02920 825740.

WAG intends to publish a summary of responses to this document. If you do not wish to be identified as the author of your response, please state this expressly in writing to WAG when you send in your response.

If you would like to respond, please follow the guidance in the consultation, or contact BAVO's HSCWB Facilitator.

Consultation: Wales Spatial Plan: People, Places, Futures

The end of January sees the launch of a 3 month consultation on the Wales Spatial Plan: People, Places, Futures. The document sets a vision for how each part of Wales should develop economically, socially and environmentally over the next 20 years and will guide the way the Assembly Government spends its money over the coming years.

A huge amount of cross-sector and partnership working has seen real progress made against the goals identified in the first Spatial Plan in 2004. It has helped achieve a joined up approach to complex issues such as transport, housing and settlement patterns for the first time, leading to more effective use of public finance.

Events have recently been held in each of the 6 Spatial Plan regions to give an opportunity for people to hear more about what each region intends to do over the coming years. Bridgend County is placed within the SE Spatial Plan area.

The document will be published on the Spatial Plan website visit: http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/spatial/?lang=en

Consultation: Draft Fire & Rescue Service National Framework for Wales 2008-2011

Sections 21 and 62 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 require the Welsh Assembly Govnernment to publish the Fire and Rescue National Framework for Wales. the first National Framework was published in March 2005. Recognising the development in Fire and Rescue policy in Wales since devolution, Welsh Ministers have committed to replace the current framework with a new one. This consultation draft framework sets out the Welsh Assembly Government's priorities and objectives for the Fire and Rescue Authorities in Wales and describes what is expected of them during the three year lifespan of the document.

If you wish to submit a response to this consultation please do so to Lisa Rees, Fire and Rescue Services Branch, Welsh Assembly Government, Rhyd-y-Car, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ or by email lisa.rees@wales.gsi.gov.uk by 20th June 2008.

The consultation document is available on the WAG website at http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/housandcomm/frsnationalframework/?lang=en

Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning (IFLL) - Call for evidence on lifelong learning, crime & social exclusion.

The Inquiry looks at the critical issues that face our society in coming decades, and identifies how adult learning can equip us to meet these challenges. A number of specific themes provide a focus for the work, around which we are issuing calls for evidence. Download further information here.

Interested individuals and organisations are invited to submit written evidence on lifelong learning, crime and social exclusion to lifelonglearninginquiry@niace.org.uk by 12th June 2008.

Further information about the Commission of Inquiry is available from www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk

Call for evidence on lifelong learning, crime & social exclusion

The Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning (IFLL), sponsored by NIACE, is putting out a public call for evidence on lifelong learning, crime and social exclusion.

The IFLL was launched in September 2007 and will report in June 2009. Experts from government, business, academia, trade unions, public service, providers and the voluntary and community sector, as well as learners, are brought together to identify a broad consensus for the future direction of adult learning policy in the UK. For detail see www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk.

Evidence should be submitted to lifelonglearninginquiry@niace.org.uk